Most of us know about the infamous supermodels who walked the runway for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has featured iconic supermodels who have left a lasting impression on the fashion world. Names like Adriana Lima, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid have become synonymous with the brand’s glamorous runway presentations, showcasing not just lingerie but also the type of confidence and beauty. These supermodels have captivated audiences with their striking looks, impeccable walks, and magnetic presence, solidifying their status as timeless icons of style and grace. This all changed when the show got canceled back in 2019. Now, the question that remains is, why was the show really canceled?
People were in an uproar in 2019 when they announced the show was canceled, and many people had plenty to say. In People magazine, an article was posted with tweets about how people felt about the show’s cancellation. Some users on social media praised the company’s decision, expressing hope for a wider range of sizes and a more diverse slew of models.
Others argued that the show’s cancellation was unnecessary, citing unrealistic beauty standards and the level of sensitivity. One person said “Canceling the Victoria Secret fashion show bc it showcases ‘unrealistic beauty standards’ is f—ing ridiculous lmfaaoo those girls work so hard to be on that stage. The level of sensitivity is absurd,” (Slater). In their defense, they say that the models who work on the show put in a lot of effort and should be praised for it. This feeling is one of irritation at what is seen as too much sensitivity surrounding the problem.
On the otherhand another person says “Victoria Secret fashion show is officially cancelled. The end of an era. The show was becoming dated. No one is interested in the perfect size 2 anymore. They want real!” (Slater). Many people think that the show is out of date and doesn’t reflect the changing tastes and beliefs of viewers. People think that the focus on the “perfect size 2” doesn’t fit with modern standards anymore, as there is a growing need for more diverse and open ideas of beauty.Different people had different responses when the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was canceled, which shows how society feels about beauty standards. Some people agreed with the choice because they wanted to see more sizes and models represented. These different answers show how complicated people’s ideas are about what is beautiful. Some people want more diversity and acceptance, while others are against what they see as too much sensitivity. These conversations started because of the cancellation of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which showed how the fashion industry is torn between custom and progress.
The show gets canceled, and the angels start talking. As more former Victoria’s Secret models talk about their experiences, the conversation grows and more people learn about the problems and pressures in the business. An article in Image talks about Erin Heatherton’s story and how she went to great lengths to keep up her body, including using hormone shots and diet pills. The way she lived her life shows how unhealthy false beauty standards can be for both body and mind.In the 2021 Image article “Even former Victoria’s Secret models felt the brand’s body ideals ‘went against Mother Nature,” Sarah Finnan discusses the models’ treatment, personal experiences with Victoria Secret, and so much more. Erin Heatherton speaks out on the fallen angel podcase and talks about her experiences and things she did to stay in shape.It became her habit to give herself different hormone injections to help her get in shape. “When I hit, I think it was 25, things started to go badly for me.” At one point, nothing I did seemed to work anymore. I was a little bigger. That’s just biology and how the body works, now that I think about it. She said, “You’re not the same size when you’re 18 and when you’re 25.” Heatherton said she was ready to do anything to keep her job and made an appointment with a chef to try to help her. “That kind of pushed me over the edge.” “It definitely led me to see a nutritionist, who put me on phentermine, a diet pill that my therapist later called “bathwater meth,”” she said. (Finnan).
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) says in their article “Modeling and Eating Disorders” that eating disorders are very common in the modeling business because of the extreme pressure to stay very thin. Models are constantly judged on how they look, and the industry’s strict beauty standards make those goals seem impossible to meet. As models try to meet these high standards, the strong pressure can cause them to eat in unhealthy ways. Focusing too much on keeping a certain body weight and size can lead to unhealthy weight control habits like dieting too little or too much, and exercising too much. These problems are made even worse by the fact that the industry is very competitive, and models feel like managers, designers, and clients are pressuring them to meet strict beauty standards.
Another ex-VS model spoke out early in the year before Heatherton. Bridget Malcolm also spoke out against the company. In Finnan’s article, she writes how Malcolm says,s “Already having walked the runway for them on two separate occasions, Malcolm accused her former employers of “performative allyship,” detailing how she was cut from a subsequent show because she had gone up a bra size.” (Finnan). This is just another instance where ex-VS models are talking about body image and how the pressure was real. Malcolm talks about how she was told that her body “didn’t look good enough.”. She talks about having a healthy weight and size for herself. This is just another way the industry had unrealistic standards and promoted unhealthy living.
Another part of the video series has her speaking out about being groomed and sexually assaulted. She also talks about how she had an eating disorder along with struggling with addiction.Bridget Malcolm’s story adds another level to the conversation; she says that the company promotes unhealthy standards and fake allyship. Malcolm’s confession that she was kicked off shows because her bra size went up a little shows how strict the business is and how it hurts models’ health.
In conclusion, the cancellation of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2019 was a turning point in the fashion industry. It led to a close look at its standards, how it treats models, and how it represents women. The choice started a bigger conversation about beauty standards, diversity, and acceptance, which shows how society’s views on body positivity and self-acceptance are changing. Erin Heatherton and Bridget Malcolm, two former Victoria’s Secret models, have spoken out about the difficulties and stresses they faced in the job. Their stories show how unrealistic beauty standards can hurt people’s physical and mental health. Their stories, along with changes in culture and public opinion, led to a greater call for fashion companies to be more open and responsible. Canceling the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show sparked change by questioning traditional ideas of beauty and working for an industry that is more open and respectful. Going forward, it is important to keep pushing for diversity, representation, and healthy standards in the fashion world, so that everyone feels empowered and respected, no matter what size, shape, or appearance they have.
